It’s September and the start of a new school year! This year, however, is like no other with the demands of remote teaching and learning along with many health and safety concerns due to COVID 19.  It’s no wonder that many schools are looking to begin with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) – a process through which individuals build awareness and skills in managing emotions, setting goals, establishing relationships, and making responsible decisions. Feeling self-assured, worthy and part of community will help students to learn. Here are a few resources to help you get started.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) resources for Washington State SEL Standards, learning activities and professional learning modules are available here.  

Arts Education Social & Emotional Learning Framework is designed to illuminate the intersection between arts education and social-emotional learning standards, from the state of New Jersey.

What does SEL look like in a classroom? Watch this award-winning documentary, Children Full of Life where Mr. Kanemori, a 4^th grade teacher in Japan, creates a sense of community with his students - teaching lessons on teamwork, the importance of openness, how to cope and the harm caused by bullying. See the inspirational, 40-minute film here.

Educators need to tend to their social and emotional needs, too.  See these simple and evidence-based practices for people responding to the world’s biggest challenges. Click here for more information.

Thank you for all that you do in service of the arts in education – and wishing you all the best as you begin the new school year!

Janet Hayakawa, Program Supervisor
The Arts - Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Janet.Hayakawa@k12.wa.us
Office: 360-725-4966             
Cell/Text: 360-764-6157

Art by: E. Alvares " Overgrown" (Participant in 2020 High School Art Show) 

24 Hour Viral Monologues – Special rates for schools

24 Hour Viral Monologues (produced during COVID-19) are sponsored by 24 Hour Plays whose mission is to bring together creative communities to produce plays and musicals that are written, rehearsed and performed in 24 hours. They are currently offering schools a “pay what you can” licensing opportunity. 

For more information click here.

Creativity and Persistence: Art that Fueled the Fight for Women’s Suffrage

The National Endowment for the Arts published this book in commemoration of the 100^th anniversary of women’s suffrage and in celebration of how the arts were used to change the image of women in America. Download the book free of charge in electronic and audio formats on the Arts Endowment website.

Image: Portrait of Suffragist Alice Paul, 1913 

Use, Adapt, Create, and Share Resources

The Washington Open Educational Resources (OER) Hub is an online platform for freely sharing K-12 open educational resources. Curated and created for and by Washington educators, the site promotes equitable access to standards-aligned, quality instructional materials. 

To learn more, register for a 1-hour webinar on September 22^nd, 3:00 pm.

Artists in Place – new podcast series

Centrum, the non-profit organization whose mission is to promote creative experiences that change lives, has launched this podcast series about art and the artistic process through the lenses of music, writing, visual arts, and general discussion. The podcasts are produced in and broadcast from the historic Fort Worden, just outside Port Townsend, Washington.

For more information, click here.

Increase Access to the Arts!

Inspire Washington opens the door to more culture happening where people live. Join the Inspiration League and to stay up to date with issues facing the arts and culture sector, and to champion cultural programming in Washington.

Instructional Design for Distance Learning

The Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession’s Teacher Tech Project has developed 16 asynchronous professional learning modules about instructional design for distance learning including: “Engaging Students”, “What to Teach? Determining Instructional Priorities”, and “Supporting Well-Being”. 

For more information click here.

SEADAE 2020 National Conference: The Arts and Social and Emotional Learning  

On September 25, 1-5 pm ET, the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education will host this event to explore the synergistic relationships between the arts and SEL. The program will include stimulating breakout sessions, interactive performances, and lively confabulation (followed by an optional reception and networking opportunity).

For more information, click here.  

The Artifacts in Our Lives – Student Photography Contest: Deadline Oct. 15

The Global Oneness Project challenges students to examine the value of artifacts from multiple perspectives. Students 13 years and up are invited to submit a photo and tell the story of the featured artifact. Winners will be awarded $200 and photographs will be published on the Global Oneness Project website. Click here for guidelines and rules. 

Photo by Diane Barker

Arts Competition for Youth Now Accepting Applications: Deadline Oct. 16

Open to eligible emerging artists ages 15-18 or in grades 10-12, the 2021 National YoungArts Competition — created by the National YoungArts Foundation — is an application-based award to recognize youth excellence and potential in visual, literary and performing arts. Winners receive cash prizes, participation in YoungArts Week, mentorship and more.